Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter)

Emerging growth company o

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

On February 13, 2019, the Board of Directors of ALLETE, Inc. (“ALLETE”) elected Bethany M. Owen to the Board of Directors.

Ms. Owen, 53, first joined ALLETE in 2002 as an attorney and has held positions of increasing responsibility and operational scope. She served as the Director-Transmission Regulatory Compliance and Business Support from 2009 to 2010. In 2010, Ms. Owen became President of Superior Water, Light and Power Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of ALLETE. In 2012, Ms. Owen was also named Vice President-Minnesota Power, an operating division of ALLETE, and on June 23, 2014, she also became Vice President-ALLETE Information Technology Solutions. On November 26, 2016, Ms. Owen was appointed ALLETE Senior Vice President and Chief Legal and Administrative Officer. Ms. Owen was elected President of ALLETE on January 31, 2019.

Readers are cautioned that forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the ALLETE’s disclosures under the heading “Forward-Looking Statements” located on page 2 of this Form 8-K.

ALLETE, Inc. Form 8-K dated February 14, 2019

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Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this report that are not statements of historical facts are considered “forward-looking” and, accordingly, involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed. Although such forward-looking statements have been made in good faith and are based on reasonable assumptions, there can be no assurance that the expected results will be achieved. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, future expectations, risks, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, events, uncertainties, financial performance, or growth strategies (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “projects,” “likely,” “will continue,” “could,” “may,” “potential,” “target,” “outlook” or words of similar meaning) are not statements of historical facts and may be forward-looking.

In connection with the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, we are providing this cautionary statement to identify important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of ALLETE in this Current Report on Form 8-K, in presentations, on our website, in response to questions or otherwise. These statements are qualified in their entirety by reference to, and are accompanied by, the following important factors, in addition to any assumptions and other factors referred to specifically in connection with such forward-looking statements that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements:

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our ability to successfully implement our strategic objectives;

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global and domestic economic conditions affecting us or our customers;

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changes in and compliance with laws and regulations;

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changes in tax rates or policies, or in rates of inflation;

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the outcome of legal and administrative proceedings (whether civil or criminal) and settlements;

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weather conditions, natural disasters and pandemic diseases;

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our ability to access capital markets and bank financing;

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changes in interest rates and the performance of the financial markets;

federal and state regulatory and legislative actions that impact regulated utility economics, including our allowed rates of return, capital structure, ability to secure financing, industry and rate structure, acquisition and disposal of assets and facilities, operation and construction of plant facilities and utility infrastructure, recovery of purchased power, capital investments and other expenses, including present or prospective environmental matters;

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effects of competition, including competition for retail and wholesale customers;

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effects of restructuring initiatives in the electric industry;

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the impacts on our Regulated Operations segment of climate change and future regulation to restrict the emissions of GHG;

factors affecting our Energy Infrastructure and Related Services businesses, including fluctuations in the volume of customer orders, unanticipated cost increases, changes in legislation and regulations impacting the industries in which the customers served operate, the effects of weather, creditworthiness of customers, ability to obtain materials required to perform services, and changing market conditions; and

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our ability to successfully close the announced sale of U.S. Water Services, Inc., including the satisfaction of certain closing conditions, which cannot be assured to be completed.

ALLETE, Inc. Form 8-K dated February 14, 2019

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Forward-Looking Statements (Continued)

Additional disclosures regarding factors that could cause our results or performance to differ from those anticipated by this report are discussed in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of ALLETE’s Annual Report on Form 10‑K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date on which that statement is made or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for management to predict all of these factors, nor can it assess the impact of each of these factors on the businesses of ALLETE or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the various disclosures made by ALLETE in this Current Report on Form 8‑K and in other reports filed with the SEC that attempt to identify the risks and uncertainties that may affect ALLETE’s business.

ALLETE, Inc. Form 8-K dated February 14, 2019

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.